If Burke didn't believe in his ability to be a long term starter in this league, he wouldn't have gone into last year with a tandem of Reimer/Gustavsson.

Fixed. In fact, I wouldn't be completely surprised if Gillis were able to get all 3.

The thing is... you just can't get Lupul. He's not in a position to be traded at the present time, and the season is going to be too short in terms of time before deadline for him to fall out of favour.

Going with reimer as the starter again is one of those decisions that could cost Burke his job. Something I am sure he is keenly aware of.

The thing is... you just can't get Lupul. He's not in a position to be traded at the present time, and the season is going to be too short in terms of time before deadline for him to fall out of favour.

Why do you assume that only players who fall out of favour will be traded?

Not to mention there could be any number of reasons why he might be traded, such as unwillingness to re-sign as he wants to go to a cup contender, or perhaps because of bad blood with Carlyle.

Saying he won't be traded because he isn't out of favour is quite frankly absurd. Teams' main reason to trade players is to get better.